Political experience: “I ran for mayor of Toronto in 2003 as one of the so-called fringe candidates ... This is my first real run at political life.”

Work background: Prashad is a classically trained chef who moved from Toronto to Calgary in 2003. He now works for Calgary Transit’s outside maintenance division because he wants to learn about machinery. Prashad said he has helped kick-start some of the city’s urban gardens and has also been involved with the urban chicken movement.

What led you to enter elected politics: He’s motivated by desire to see more locally grown food and urban agriculture, which he said could increase employment, and help alleviate poverty and homelessness. “I’m working to bring forward the idea that Calgary Centre needs a place called a food security facility, which is an umbrella to give room for all of these agriculturally inclined, urban agricultural people and entities to come together under one roof, so we can have a hub in Calgary.”

If elected, what do you see as your role as an MP?: “To bring the ideas and the aspirations of the community to all government levels. And to bring the peoples’ opinions, and wants and desires forward — which are not being represented now.”

What is the most important issue today for the people in Calgary Centre: “The important issue would be transparency and openness, and a more open, democratic process.”